Frozen Assets at the Heart of Negotiations
A senior Iranian diplomat has laid out a non-negotiable condition for any future agreement with the United States. The official stated that the immediate unfreezing of no less than fifty percent of Iran's blocked financial resources is an essential first step for any memorandum of understanding to take effect.
Tehran's Fundamental Requirements
"Any draft agreement will only be considered final when our essential interests and concerns are fully addressed," the official declared, outlining Iran's negotiating stance. He emphasized that these assets rightfully belong to Iran and their current frozen status is unjustified.
The proposed implementation would occur in two distinct phases following the signing of an agreement:
- Phase One (Immediate): A minimum of 50% of the frozen funds must be made accessible to Iran without delay.
- Phase Two (Short-Term): The remaining balance should be released within a strict window of one to two months post-signature.
Technicalities for Future Discussion
The official added that the intricate mechanics of accessing the funds—encompassing technical protocols and financial logistics—would not be finalized in the initial pact. Instead, these details are slated for further negotiation during a 60-day implementation period after signing. This approach highlights that the return of assets is prioritized as a foundational trust-building measure before tackling more complex operational matters.